Method, system and apparatus for a rail track

ABSTRACT

A rail track assembly comprises a rail defining a longitudinal channel configured to slidably receive at least a portion of a monitoring drone. An end cap is configured to be coupled to a first longitudinal end of the rail. A charge cap is configured to be coupled to second longitudinal end of the rail opposite the first longitudinal end, the charge cap configured to house a power module for charging the monitoring drone when the monitoring drone is located at the second longitudinal end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/846,204, filed Apr. 10, 2020, which claims priority to and benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/832,018, filed Apr. 10, 2019, theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to systems, apparatus and methods for a railtrack. More specifically, this disclosure relates to components thatcouple together to form a rail track for mounting a monitoring drone anda method related to the installation of the rail track.

BACKGROUND

Rail tracks for robots tend to be labor intensive. At times, installingand creating such a rail track requires multiple tools and more than oneperson. As such, there is a need for a simplified rail track that can beinstalled and created quickly and efficiently utilizing only one personand one tool.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein relate to a method, apparatus and systemfor a rail track. According to some embodiments, the rail track includesa rail track, a rail, a rail holder, a charge cap, a rail coupler, and acap.

In some embodiments, a rail track assembly comprises a rail defining alongitudinal channel configured to receive, slideably or otherwise, atleast a portion of a monitoring drone. An end cap is configured to becoupled to a first longitudinal end of the rail. A charge cap isconfigured to be coupled to second longitudinal end of the rail oppositethe first longitudinal end, the charge cap configured to house a powermodule for charging the monitoring drone when the monitoring drone islocated at the second longitudinal end.

In some embodiments, a rail track system, comprises a first rail and asecond rail, each of the first rail and the second rail defining alongitudinal channel configured to receive at least a portion of amonitoring drone. An end cap is configured to be coupled to a firstlongitudinal end of the first rail. A rail coupler is configured tocouple a second longitudinal end of the first rail opposite the firstlongitudinal end to a first longitudinal end of the second rail, therebycoupling the first rail to the second rail. A charge cap is configuredto be coupled to a second longitudinal end of the second rail oppositethe first longitudinal end of the second rail, the charge cap configuredto house a power module for charging the monitoring drone when themonitoring drone is located at the second longitudinal end of the secondrail.

In some embodiments, a method for mounting a monitoring drone on astructure, comprises: coupling one or more rail holders to thestructure, each of the one or more rail holders defining a receptacle. Arail is positioned in the receptacle of a corresponding rail holder ofthe one or more rail holders so as to couple a desired number of railsto the structure, each of the rails defining a longitudinal channelconfigured to slidably receive at least a portion of the monitoringdrone. A monitoring drone is mounted on a rail of the desired number ofrails. An end cap is coupled to a first longitudinal end of a first railof the desired number of rails. A charge cap is coupled to a secondlongitudinal end of a last rail of the desired number of rails, thecharge cap is configured to house a power module for charging themonitoring drone when the monitoring drone is located at the secondlongitudinal end of the last rail.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several implementations in accordance withthe disclosure and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a rail track system, according toan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the rail track system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a rail includedin the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a charge capincluded in the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5A is a front-side perspective view of an embodiment of a railholder included in the system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 5B is a back-sideperspective view of the rail holder of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a front-side perspective view of another embodiment of a railholder; FIG. 6B is a back-side perspective view of the rail holder ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a front-side perspective view of an embodiment of a railcoupler included in the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7B is a side perspective view of an embodiment of an end capincluded in the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of a rail track system including arail holder, according to another embodiment; FIG. 8B is a frontperspective view of a portion of the rail track system showing the railholder of FIG. 8A coupling a first rail to second rail; and FIG. 8C is aback view of the portion of the rail track system shown in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method forinstalling a rail track.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an apparatusfor a monitoring drone that may be mounted on the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a monitoring droneconfiguration for a shelf.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a monitoring droneconfiguration for a cooler.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a monitoring dronesystem.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a dronemonitoring method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein relate to a method, apparatus and systemfor a rail track. The rail track includes a rail track, a rail, a railholder, a charge cap, a rail coupler, and a cap.

In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. Thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figuresmay be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest ofclarity and conciseness.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that aspects of thepresent disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any of anumber of patentable classes or context including any new and usefulprocess, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new anduseful improvement thereof. Therefore, aspects of the present disclosuremay be implemented entirely in hardware or combining software andhardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein asa “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system” (including firmware,resident software, micro-code, etc.). Further, aspects of the presentdisclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied inone or more computer readable media having computer readable programcode embodied thereon.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations may bedone in the same order of different order and that not all steps arerequired in every instance.

Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may provide oneor more benefits including, for example: 1) allowing mounting ofmonitoring drones on any suitable structure, for example, a top, middle,or bottom shelf of a grocery store, thereby providing flexibility ininventory monitoring/management; 2) allowing coupling of any number ofrails in series with each other so as to be compatible with a shelf orstructure having any length; 3) allowing rotation of the rails within arail holder during installation, thereby facilitating proper orientationand alignment of the rails and the mounting drone; 4) enabling chargingof the mounting drone mounted on the track system during operationwithout having to remove the mounting drone from the rail track system;and 5) providing rapid and real time inventory monitoring of items on ashelf without interfering with customer experience.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a front perspectiveview for a rail track system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating anembodiment of a top view of the rail track 100. The rail track 100includes a first rail 102 and a second rail 102′, a charge cap 104, arail holder 106, a rail coupler 108, and an end cap 110. The rail tracksystem 100 is configured to slidably mount a monitoring drone, forexample, the monitoring drone 114 shown in FIG. 3 or the monitoringdrone 1000 shown in FIG. 10 , such that the monitoring drone can movealong the rails 102, 102′ and collect desired information at differentlocations along the path of the drone (e.g., images of inventory on aretail shelf).

In some embodiments, the rail track 100 may also utilize solar panels112 and wires 113 to provide charge to a power module in the charge cap104 for selectively charging the drone 114, as described in furtherdetail herein. In this embodiment, the charge cap 104 is shown to plugthe second rail 102′. In other embodiments, an end cap 110 may replacethe charge cap 104 and a charge maybe provided through a module embeddedin the rails 102, 102′, rail coupler 108, or rail holder 106. In oneembodiment, the rail track system 100 may be utilized to facilitatemovement and/or be utilized by a monitoring drone 114.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the first rail 102 anda block diagram of the monitoring drone 114 that may be mounted on thefirst rail 102. In some embodiments, the monitoring drone 114 mayinclude an image capture device 114 a (e.g., an optical or solid statecamera) to capture images of inventory on a shelf or of items on anyother structure to which the rail track system 100 is coupled. Themonitoring drone 114 may also include a rechargeable power source 114 bthat powers the various components of the monitoring drone 114. In someembodiments, the monitoring drone 142 may include a light source 114 c(e.g., an LED light, a flash, etc.) for optically illuminating variousitems on the shelf In some embodiments, the image capture device 114 amay be capable of night vision.

In some embodiments, the monitoring drone 114 may include a defogger 114d configured to heat or otherwise defog a surface of the image capturedevice 114 a or the light source 114 c, for example, to remove anymoisture that may condense thereon. The defogger 114 d may include forexample, thin strips or coils of electrical conducting material disposedon the image capture device 114 a that generate heat in response to anelectrical current being passed therethrough. The monitoring drone 114includes a rail mount structure 114 e configured to be mounted oncorresponding tracks 102 b (FIG. 3 ) of the rails 102, 102′ so as toallow the monitoring drone 114 to slide along the track 102 b. The railmount structure 114 e may include, for example, wheels or arms thatslide into the tracks 102 b that can polarized for magnetic levitationand movement of the monitoring drone 114. The monitoring drone 114 alsodefines a charging port 114 f configured to receive charging arms 105 aand a charging pin 105 b of the charge cap 104 which allows themonitoring drone 114 to be charged.

While FIGS. 1-2 shows the rail track system 100 as including the firstrail 102 and the second rail 102′, it should be understood that the railtrack system 100 may include any number of rails 102. The rails 102 maybe made of any material, such as, 3D print materials, aluminum, castingmaterial, aluminum extrusion; and the like. The first rail 102 defines alongitudinal channel 102 c configured to slidably receive at least aportion of the monitoring drone 114 or any other monitoring dronedescribed herein (e.g., the monitoring drone 1000). The longitudinalchannel 102 c may have a rectangular cross-section as shown in FIG. 3 ,but in other embodiments, may have a square, circular, elliptical, orany other suitable cross-section. Moreover, the first rail 102 may havebe straight, bent, curved, or have any suitable curvature along itslength. The second rail 102′ may be substantially similar in structureand function to the first rail 102, but may have a different length thanthe first rail 102.

In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the first rail 102 includes anouter wall 102 g that is shown to have an outer perimetral shape that isC-shaped to facilitate the rotation of the first rail 102 in the railholder 106. A plurality of slots 102 a are defined at a firstlongitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the first rail 102.The slots 102 a are sized and otherwise positioned to receivecorresponding charge cap tabs 104 c of the charge cap 104, rail couplertabs 108 c of the rail coupler 108, or end cap tabs 110 c of the end cap110, as described in further detail herein, for example, to facilitatethe coupling of the first rail 102 to the second rail 102′ directly orvia the rail coupler 108. In other embodiments, the slots 102 a mayserve as a conduit like structure to be used to stretch electric orcommunications wires across the first rail 102. The first rail 102 mayalso include tracks 102 b. Tracks 102 b may be on any location withinthe first rail 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , two tracks 102 bare shown, one on the top and one of the bottom. Any number of tracks102 b may be included, which may be the same size and/or shape or mayvary in size and/or shape. In some embodiments, the first rail 102accommodates one or more drone or robot (e.g., the monitoring drone 114,1000).

Expanding further, the first rail 102 defines at least one track 102 bextending along a longitudinal length of the first rail 102 andconfigured to slidably mount the monitoring drone 114. In someembodiments, the track 102 b may include a track first portion 102 badefining a rectangular cross-section, and a track second portion 102 bbdefining a circular cross-section. In such embodiments, the rail mountstructure 114 e may define a corresponding shape for sliding into thetrack 102 b similar to a lock and key mechanism. Such a shape of thetrack 102 b may facilitate alignment of the rail mount structure 114 eof the monitoring drone 114 to with the track 102 b, and reduce lateralmovement. In some embodiments, axial notches 102 d may be defined onedges of a back wall 102 e of the rail 102 along the axial length of therail 102. In some embodiments, the notches 102 d may serve as tracks toreceive a portion of rail mount structure 114 e of the drone 114. Inother embodiments, the notches 102 d may facilitate bending of sidewalls 102 g of the rail 102, which extend in a transverse direction fromopposite edge of the back wall 102 a, towards or away from each other,for example, to facilitate mounting of the rails 102, 102′ on the railholder 106, or mounting of the drone 114 onto the tracks 102 b.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the charge cap 104included in the rail track system 100 of FIGS. 1-2 . In one embodiment,the charge cap 104 houses a power module (not shown), for example, arechargeable battery, a voltage transformer, charging electronics, etc.The power module maybe utilized to power/maintain power to one or moredevice(s) utilizing the rail track. The power module is usually a lowpower module and might be charged wired or wireless. In one embodiment,the power module may utilize one or a combination of the followingelectric wire, battery, WIFI charging, coil, solar cells, or any othermechanism that provides charge.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 , the charge cap 104 is configured to be coupledto second longitudinal end of the second rail 102′ or a last rail in ina series of rails, which is opposite a first longitudinal end of thefirst rail 102 or a first rail in the series of rails to which the endcap 110 is coupled. The charge cap 104 is configured to charge themonitoring drone 114 via the power module when the monitoring drone 114is located at the second longitudinal end.

In some embodiments, the charge cap 104 includes a charge cap main body104 a configured to abut an end face of the second longitudinal end ofthe second rail 102′ when the charge cap 104 is coupled to the secondrail 102′. A power module housing 104 b extends from the charge cap mainbody 104 a into the longitudinal channel 102 c defined by the secondrail 102′. The power module housing 104 b defines an internal volume 104c configured to house the power module. In some embodiments, the chargecap 104 may include a plurality of charge cap tabs 104 c extending fromthe charge cap main body 104 a, for example, from portions of the chargecap main body 104 a that extends radially away from power module housing104 b into the longitudinal channel 102 c defined by the second rail102′. Each of the plurality of charge cap tabs 104 c are configured tobe inserted into a corresponding slot 102 a of the plurality of slots102 a of the corresponding rail 102′ for coupling the charge cap 104 tothe second longitudinal end of the second rail 102′. In otherembodiments, the charge cap 104 may be coupled to the first rail 102.

As shown in FIG. 4 the charge cap 104 includes a pair of chargingportions 105 a defined on a sidewall of the power module housing 104 dthat is inserted into the second rail 102′ and is orthogonal to alongitudinal axis of the second rail 102′. While shown as including twocharging portions 105 a, in other embodiments, the charge cap 104 mayinclude one, or more than two charging portions 105 a. Each of thecharging portions 105 a include at least one charging pin 105 b (e.g.,two charging pins as shown in FIG. 4 but may include more) protrudingtherefrom into the longitudinal channel 102 c. The at least one chargingpin 105 b is configured to contact a charging port 114 f of themonitoring drone 114, for example, corresponding electrical contactspresent in the charging port 114 f so as to charge the monitoring drone114. In some embodiments, a power socket 104 e may be defined in thecharge cap 104 that is configured to receive an electrical lead thatprovides electrical power to the power module included in the charge cap104. In other embodiments, the charge cap 104 may include charging armsextending from an end of the power module housing 104 b into thelongitudinal channel 102 c. The charging arms are configured to secure acharging pin, for example, between the two charging arms, and configuredto interface with the drone 114 to facilitate positioning of thecharging pin 105 b relative to the charging port 114 f of the drone 114.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, the rail holder 106 holds the first rail 102,102′ and accommodates the shapes of the first or second rail 102.Another rail holder 106 holds the second rail 102′. While FIGS. 1-2 showone rail holder 106 holding the first rail 102 and another rail holder106 holding the second rail 102′, a plurality of rail holders 106 may beused to hold the first rail 102, the second rail 102′ or any other railincluded in the rail track system 100.

The rail holder 106 includes a rail holder first portion 106 aa and arail holder second portion 106 aa that when coupled together define areceptacle 106 d configured to hold the first rail 102. The rail holder106 is configured to be coupled to a structure (e.g., a shelf in retailstore) to secure the first rail 102 to the structure. In someembodiments, the receptacle 106 d defines a perimetral shape thatcorresponds to or matches an outer perimetral shape of the first rail102. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5A-5B, the each of theperimetral shape of the receptacle 106 d and the outer perimetral shapeof the first rail 102 include a C-shape. The C-shaped receptacle 106 dand the first rail 102 may facilitate rotation of the first rail 102 (orthe second rail 102′) within the receptacle 106 d so as to allowposition of the first rail 102 within the receptacle 106 d in a desiredorientation.

In one embodiment, the rail holder 106 includes a track coupler 106 a tofacilitate coupling the rail holder 106 to a device, edge, shelf, or thelike. The track coupler 106 a includes a tightening mechanism 106 e(e.g., a screw or bolt) to ensure proper coupling of the track coupler106 a to the structure (e.g., a shelf). The track coupler 106 a may becoupled to a body of the rail holder 106 via a securing mechanism 106 g.The rail holder 106 may also include a coupling member 106 b (e.g., ascrew or bolt) configured to couple the rail holder first portion 106 aato the rail holder second portion 106 bb. For positioning the rail 102or 102′ into the rail holder 106, the coupling member 106 b may beloosened to move the rail holder second portion 106 bb distal from therail holder first portion 106 aa. Once the rail 102 or 102′ ispositioned in the receptacle 106 d, the coupling member 106 b istightened to move the rail holder second portion 106 bb towards the railholder first portion 106 aa until the rail 102 or 102′ is clamped orsecured therebetween. In some embodiments, the rail holder 106 has aflat end 106 c to ensure proper alignment to a shelf, edge, device andthe likes. Each of the tightening mechanism 106 e, the securingmechanism 106 g, and the set screw may be configured to be loosened ortightened using the same tool.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6B, another embodiment of a rail holder 206 isshown. The rail holder 206 is substantially similar to the rail holder106 and includes the rail holder second portion 106 bb, the couplingmember 106 b and the tightening mechanism 106 e and the securingmechanism 106 g. However, different from the rail holder 106, the railholder 206 includes a rail holder first portion 206 aa that forms aportion of a receptacle 206 d in combination with the rail holder secondportion 106 bb, and includes a flat end 206 c. The rail holder firstportion 206 aa is similar in shape to the rail holder first portion 106aa but defines a plurality of slots 206 cc therethrough at predeterminedlocations. In other embodiments, the plurality of slots 206 cc may bereplaced with cavities. The plurality of slots 206 cc or cavities mayreduce the overall weight of the rail holder 206 while providingmechanical strength. Moreover, the rail holder 206 includes a trackcoupler 206 a that is thicker than the rail holder 106 a such that ithas higher mechanical strength, is easier to handle, and has longerlife.

FIG. 7A is a front-side perspective view of the rail coupler 108. WhileFIG. 7A shows a particular rail coupler 108, any other suitable railcoupler may be utilized (e.g., the rail coupler 310 shown in FIGS.8A-8C). The rail coupler 108 is configured to axially coupled the firstrail 102 or to the second rail 102′. For example, the rail coupler 108may be coupled to a second longitudinal end of the first rail 102opposite the first longitudinal end on which the end cap 110 isinstalled, and coupled to a first longitudinal end of the second rail102′ of the rail track system 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-2 , therebycoupling the first rail 102 to the second rail 102′.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the rail coupler 108 includes a rail coupler mainbody 108 a having a shape that matches the shape of the rails 102, 102′.A plurality of rail coupler tabs 108 c extend axially from either sidesof the rail coupler main body 108 a and are configured to be insertedinto corresponding slots 102 a of the first rail 102 and the second rail102′ so as to couple the rails 102, 102′ to each other (e.g., via afriction fit or snap fit mechanism). The rail coupler 108 also defines arail coupler track 108 b including a rail coupler track first portion108 ba that matches the cross-sectional shape and size of the trackfirst portion 102 ba, and a rail coupler track second portion 108 bbthat matches the cross-sectional shape and size of the track secondportion 102 bb. Thus, the monitoring drone 114 can easily travel betweenthe track 102 b of the first rail 102 and track 102 b of the second rail102′ via the rail coupler track 108 b.

In one embodiment, the coupling of the rails 102, 102′ may be enforcedby a sleeve like device that encompasses the rail coupler 108, at leasta portion of the first rail 102 and at least a portion of the secondrail 102′, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. In another embodiment, sleeve mayalso be used as a coupling mechanism to suspend the first rail 102 andthe second rail 102′. For example, FIGS. 8A-8C show a rail track system300 including a rail coupler 310. Different from the rail coupler 110,the rail coupler 310 includes a sleeve that has a shape that correspondsto the outer perimetral shape of the rails 102, 102′. However, the railcoupler 310 has larger cross-sectional width than the rails 102, 102′such that at least a portion of the first rail 102 (e.g., its secondlongitudinal end) and the second rail 102′ (e.g., its first longitudinalend) can be inserted into a longitudinal channel defined by the railcoupler 310, for example, until the second longitudinal end of the firstrail 102 abuts the first longitudinal end of the second rail 102′. Aplurality of apertures 311 are defined in a wall of the rail coupler 310through which screws 312 or any other securing member (e.g., set screws,bolts, etc.) can be inserted for securing the encompassed portions ofthe rails 102, 102′ within the rail coupler 310.

FIG. 7B is side perspective view of an embodiment of the end cap 110.The end cap 110 is configured to be coupled to a first longitudinal endof the first rail 102. In other embodiments, the end cap 110 may becoupled to a second longitudinal end of the second rail 102′. As shownin FIG. 7B, the end cap 110 includes an end cap main body 110 a that mayhave a shape that substantially matches the cross-sectional shape offirst rail 102. A plurality of end cap tabs 110 c extend from an outerperimeter of the end cap main body 110 a towards the first rail 110 a.Each of the plurality of end cap tabs 110 c is configured to be insertedinto a corresponding slot 102 a of the plurality of slots 102 a of thefirst rail 102 for coupling the end cap 110 to the first longitudinalend of the first rail 102. In some embodiments, the end cap 110 may alsodefine a plug 110 b that extends from the end cap main body 110 a intothe longitudinal channel 102 c defined by the first rail 102. The plug110 may have shape corresponding to the shape of the channel 102 c andserve as a motion limiter for the monitoring drone 114, for example, toprevent the monitoring drone 114 from traveling to the very end of thetrack 102 b.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method 900 forinstalling a rail track system (e.g., the rail track system 100) on astructure, for example, a shelf in a retail store or a warehouse. Whiledescribed with respect to the rail track system 100, it should beunderstood that the method 900 may be used with any other rail tracksystem.

The method 900 starts at 902, and at step 904, one or more rail holders106 are coupled to a structure (e.g., a retail store or ware houseshelf). At step 906, it is determined whether multiple rails 102 areneeded for mounting to the structure. In response to determining thatmultiple rails 102 are not needed (906: NO), the method 900 proceeds tostep 912, and a rail 102 is inserted into the one or more rail holders106. However, if it is determined that multiple rails 102 are needed(906: YES), for example, for the rail track system 100 to cover anentire length of the structure, the method 900 proceeds to step 908 andenough or sufficient rail holders 106 are installed on the structure asneeded. At step 910, rail couplers 108 are used to couple enough orsufficient rails 102 as needed to each other, as previously describedherein, and at step 912, the enough or sufficient rails 102 are coupledto the plurality of rail holders 106 that have been coupled to thestructure.

At step 914, the method 900 determines if rotation of one or more of therails 102 is needed, for example, to align the rails 102 to each otheror orient them properly with respect to the structure (e.g., in anoptimal direction for the monitoring drone 114, 1000 to monitor theinventory on a shelf to which the rails 102 are mounted). If rotation isrequired (914: YES), the one or more rails 102 are rotated into place,at step 916. If no rotation is required (914: NO) or after the rails 102have been rotated into place at step 916, the method 900 determines ifmore rail holders 106 and rails 102 are needed, at step 918. If moreinstallation is needed (918: YES), the method 900 returns to step 904and more rail holders 106 and rails 102 are installed.

On the other hand if more installation is not needed (918: NO), amonitoring drone (e.g., the monitoring drone 114, 1000) is mounted tothe one or more rails 102, at step 920. For example, the drone may bemounted on a track of the first or last rail 102 of the plurality ofrails 102 that are coupled to each other and mounted on the shelf viathe rail holders 106. At step 922, the end cap 110 is coupled to a firstlongitudinal end of a first rail 102 in the plurality of rails 102(e.g., the first rail 102). At step 924, the charge cap 104 is coupledto a second longitudinal end of the last rail 102 in the plurality ofrails 102 (e.g., the second rail 102′), and the method 900 ends at step926.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an apparatusfor a monitoring drone 1000, according to another embodiment. Themonitoring drone 1000 is used to monitor products, goods, shoppers,employees, etc. in a facility, such as, a retail store, distributioncenters, or any place where goods are available. The monitoring drone1000 may couple to a shelf, cooler, stand, or any structure capable ofholding goods, products, articles, and the like, using the rail tracksystem 100 or mounted in a stationary configuration thereon. Variousembodiments of monitoring drones and systems and methods of operatingmonitoring drones are described in PCT Appl. No. PCT/US2018/045664,filed Aug. 7, 2018 and entitled “System, apparatus and method for amonitoring drone,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

The monitoring drone 1000 includes a processor (CPU) 1002, a chargemodule 1004, memory 1006, communication module 1008, move module 1010, adefog module 1011, one or more image capture device 1012 (for example,multiple image capture devices 1012 ₁ . . . 1012 _(N)), input/outputdevices (I/O) 1014 and a drone module 1016. In some embodiments, themonitoring drone 1000 also includes a light source 1018, such as aflash, Light-Emitting-Diode (LED), and the like.

Memory 1006 may be any combination of one or more computer readablemedia. The computer readable media may be a computer readable signalmedium, any type of memory or a computer readable non-transitory storagemedium. For example, a computer readable storage medium may be, but notlimited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readablestorage medium would include, but are not limited to: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (“RAM”), aread-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory(“EPROM” or Flash memory), an appropriate optical fiber with a repeater,a portable compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. Thus, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangiblemedium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connectionwith an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Computer program code for carrying out operations utilizing a processoror CPU 1002 for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, markup languages,style sheets and JavaScript libraries, including but not limited toWindows Presentation Foundation (WPF), HTML/CSS, Node, XAML, and JQuery,C, Basic, *Ada, Python, C++, C#, Pascal, *Arduino, JAVA and the likes.Additionally, operations can be carried out using any variety ofcompiler available.

The computer program instructions on memory 1006 may be provided to theprocessor 1002, where the processor 1002 is of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, microchip or any other programmabledata processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that theinstructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or otherprogrammable instruction execution apparatus, create a mechanism forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. The computer instructions may do one or more ofthe following, run the monitoring drone 1000, and give status or healthof the monitoring drone 1000 or the entire system utilizing themonitoring drone 1000. In one embodiment, it may even perform imageanalysis and/or perform data compression.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in memory 1006(computer readable medium) that when executed can direct a computer,processor, other programmable data processing apparatus, or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructionswhen stored in the computer readable medium produce an article ofmanufacture including instructions which when executed, cause a computerto implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer, processor, other programmable instructionexecution apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatuses orother devices to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The charge module 1004 is utilized to power/maintain power to themonitoring drone 1000. The charge module 1004 may be a low power andmight be wired or wireless and may utilize one or combination of thefollowing battery, WIFI charging, coil, solar cells, or any othermechanism that provides charge to the monitoring drone 1000. In someembodiments, the charge module 1004 may be in electrical communicationwith an electrical contact included in a charging portion (e.g., thecharging port 114 f) of the monitoring drone 1000. In such embodiments,the charge module 1004 may be configured to use electrical powerprovided by the power module of the charge cap 104 when the monitoringdrone 1000 is mounted on the rail track system 100 and engages thecharge cap 104, as previously described herein.

The communication module 1008 facilitates communication between themonitoring drone 1000 and other devices, computers, networks, cloud, I/Odevices 1014, and the likes. The communication module 1008 may includeethernet, USB connection, port connections of various types, wireless,combination thereof and the likes. The communication module 1008 maycommunicate in real-time, in intervals, on demand or a combination thereof.

The move module 1010 facilitates movement about a shelf, cooler, stand,store ceiling, floor and the likes and may utilize any mechanical orelectrical mechanism to do so. Some embodiment are further described inFIG. 12 and FIG. 13 . The move module 1010, for example, may utilizewheels, motors, pneumatics, magnetics, levitation, etc. The move module1010 may also provide a coupling mechanism for the monitoring drone 1000to the shelf, cooler stand and the likes. In one embodiment, the movemodule 1010 moves the monitoring drone 1100 in a predetermined path orin a path set by the hardware configuration. For example, the monitoringdrone 1000 may be mounted on the rail track system 100 and the movemodule 1010 may be configured to move the monitoring drone 1000 alongthe track 102 b of the rails 102.

In one embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 may utilize a defog module1011 to prevent or clear condensation, for example, if placed outdoors,in a cooler, and the like. The defog module 1011 may include electricalmechanism, mechanical mechanism, fluids, combination thereof and thelike. The drone module 1011 may also utilize computer instructions inmemory 1006 and processed by processor 1002.

The monitoring drone 1000 may utilize the image capture device 1012 ormultiple image capture device 1012 ₁ . . . 1012 _(N). The image capturedevice 1012 may be one or more of the following a mono-camera, a stereocamera, a video camera, an infrared camera, a Realsense camera, KinectCamera, Leap camera, a depth camera, a color camera, structured lightcamera, a combination thereof, and the likes. In one embodiment,multiple image capture device 1012 ₁. . . 1012 _(N) are used in aconfiguration where the image capture device 1012 ₁ . . . 1012 _(N) maybe angled in one or more angle to capture different views. In anotherembodiment, the multiple image capture devices 1012 communicate to learnlocation in relation to one another. For example, the image capturedevice 1012 may communicate with image capture device 1012 on both sidesof the shelf or isle. As such, such communication is utilized formapping of a facility or room mapping using depth, such as, a store,distribution center, etc. As such, the monitoring drone 1000 may beutilized for determining where objects, such as, goods, inventory,individuals, are located within the such a facility. Hence, such aconfiguration may be used for third parties to determine arrival ofitems to a facility and to confirm placement. For example, a chipsstand-alone cardboard can be remotely verified to confirm arrival,installation and/or location within a store, etc.

In one embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 may also include a GPS,Beacon Technology or any technology that allows for learning location,including WIFI, Beaker technology, Bluetooth mesh, infrared, etc. Insuch an embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 may facilitate wayfinding, for example, to locate a product in a store etc. The monitoringdrone 1000 may also include a display, laser pointer, or anycommunication facilitator.

The input/output module (I/O) 1014 may be any devices that are used topresent, print, receive, store, analyze, transmit, communicate, etc.with the monitoring drone 1000. The I/O 1014 may be coupled wirelesslyor with a wire with the monitoring drone 1000. The I/O 1012 may be usedto display, analyze, print, sound, etc., images or information relatingto the monitoring drone 1000, its surroundings, etc. The I/O 1014 mayalso transmit information to the monitoring drone 1000, for example, forupdates, resets, data retrieval or data inputting, learn vitals, troubleshoot, control various components of the monitoring drone 1000, etc.

In one embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 is capable of speechrecognition and/or display, for example, may include a microphone and/ora speaker. For example, a shopper may ask the monitoring drone 1000 thelocation of an item. The monitoring drone 1000 may also include adisplay, for example, an LED display or the likes. In an embodimentwhere the monitoring drone 1000 can communicate with other monitoringdrones 1000, it may inform the monitoring drone 1000 at the location ofthe question. Using face recognition, the monitoring drone 1000 closerto the location of the item may use a pointer, such as, an infrared orlaser pointer to highlight a specific path or location to the shopper.Even when face recognition is not used, the monitoring drone 1000 closeto the location can still highlight a location using such technology.

FIG. 11 is an embodiment illustrating a monitoring drone 1000configuration for a shelf assembly 1100 including a top shelf 1100 a anda bottom shelf 1100 b. The monitoring drone 1000 maybe placed anywherearound or on the shelf assembly 1100, i.e. around the proximity close tothe front bottom 1102, back bottom 1104, back top 1106, front top 1108,and/or the sides 1110 of the shelf assembly 1100. Multiple monitoringdrones 1000 maybe placed about the shelf assembly 1100. In oneembodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 is placed on a rail 102 of therail track system 100, on a price channel of the shelf assembly 1100.The rail 102 may be a straight line as shown in FIGS. 1-3 . In otherembodiments, the rail, C-shape, or any shape needed. The rail 102 mayallow the monitoring drone 1000 to move about the shelf 1100 utilizinggear/tooth, magnetic lock, magnetic levitation, etc. In one embodiment,the monitoring drone 1000 moves about the shelf assembly 1100 without arail 102. Any number of drones 1000 may be placed around or on the shelf1100.

In one embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 is coupled to the shelfassembly 1100 to create an “intelligent shelf” without the need forelectricity. For example, the monitoring drone 1000 may include a singleimage capture device 1012 and a low power source, such a battery, beingcharged by coils or any other wireless charge mechanism. The monitoringdrone 1000 moves up and down the edge of the shelf assembly 1100 or theprice channel portion if the shelf. The monitoring drone 1000 may beplaced within a clear tube to prevent theft or avoid inflicting any harmon those close by it as it moves. The image capture device 1012 takesimages as it moves, for example, of the shelf assembly 1100 it sits on,a shelf in front of it, a series of shelves around it, or thesurrounding of the shelf(s).

The images captured by the monitoring device 1000 may be stitched toform a virtual stereoscopic imagery or vision of the shelf(s) and/or itssurroundings. In one embodiment, the images are captures in time ordistance intervals to facilitate the stitching of the images into avirtual stereoscopic vision (image). In another embodiment, the imagesare analyzed and stitched based on common pixels. For example, amono-camera may be used to produce a virtual stereoscopic image, tocreate average, to determine depths, etc.

In one embodiment, a virtual mask maybe developed to remove differencesbetween images and to better identify objects being monitored incontrast with objects passing by or introduced for a short term, such asa cart.

In one embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 may be place at a higherelevation, such as, the upper portion of the shelf assembly 1100 (e.g.,on the top shelf 1100 b), or may be place at the bottom portion of ashelf assembly 1100 (e.g., the bottom shelf 1100 a). The shelf assembly1100 includes two or more shelves. In yet another embodiment, the imagecapture device 1012 may be angled up or down to facilitate visibility orto capture a specific view. In one embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000monitors the shelf assembly 1100 or any other shelf assembly that it iscoupled to. In another embodiment, the monitoring drone 1000 monitors ashelf or shelf assembly that is across from its location. As such, themonitoring drone 1000 moves across the rail 102 and captures images of asection of a shelf, an entire shelf, a shelf across the aisle or a shelfassembly across the aisle. All capabilities and setup discussed hereinfor a shelf is also applicable for a cooler, stand, retail display,distribution facilities, etc.

FIG. 12 is an embodiment illustrating a monitoring drone 1000configuration for a cooler 1200 (e.g., a refrigerator, a vendingmachine, etc.). The monitoring drone 1000 may be coupled to the cooler1200 at the top back 1202, top front 1204, bottom back 1206, bottomfront 1208, or any sides 1210 of the cooler 200. In some embodiments, asingle monitoring drone 1000 may be mounted on a rail track systeminstalled in the cooler 1200.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a monitoring dronesystem 1300. The monitoring drone system 1300 includes a monitoringdrone 1000, as described above in FIG. and data system 1302. The datasystem 1302 may include one or more of a cloud 1302 a, a network 1302 b,or a computer 1302 c (e.g., a main frame, a personal computer, a laptop,a tablet, a mobile phone, etc.) and the like. In FIG. 13 , and by way ofexample, the cloud 1302 a, network 1302 b, and the personal computer1302 c are illustrated. The data system 1302 may be coupled to themonitoring drone 1000 wirelessly or with a wire. The data system 1302receives data and/or images from the monitoring drone 1000. The datasystem 1302 is capable of performing analysis on the images received todetermine if an item in the image is to be monitored or if it is an itemthat is temporarily in the image and, thus, does not require monitoring.

The data system 1302 is capable of performing analysis on an image andprovide analytical data to one or more of systems of a client system1310 (e.g., a central inventory management system or a retailer) suchas, for example, a labor/employee systems 1312, a maintenance/storeservices system 1314, an inventory/ordering system 1316, a securitysystem 1318, a delivery system 1320, a static/dynamic pricing system1322 (in some cases for dynamic pricing), a merchandizing system 1324,reporting/analytics system 1326, and/or an I/O system 1328, for example,a display or audio/visual devices included in the client system 1310that may generate alarms/alerts. In one embodiment, some of the datasystem 1302 functionality may be performed by the monitoring drone 1000.

For example, the monitoring drone 1000 travels across the pricingchannel of the shelf assembly 1100 utilizing the rail track system 100.The image capture device 1012 of the drone 1000 capture images ofproducts or inventory on the shelf assembly 1100. The communicationmodule 1008 transmits the images to the data system 1302. The datasystem 1302 analyzes the difference between the images and, accordingly,determines one or more of the following: items consistently in the image(products on a shelf), items in the image for a short term (i.e.customer walking by), items in the image for a long term but notconsistently (i.e. a cart left behind). Such determination may beconcluded utilizing depth information, time duration, and/or combinationthereof In one embodiment, the communication module 1008 facilitatescommunication with mobile devices, other image capture device(s),retailers, shoppers, inventory stockers, etc.

As such, if the data system 1302 determines that an item is left behind,a message may be transmitted to an alert system or employees' mobiledevices, etc. However, the data system 1302 may determine the item isconsistently in the image and identify it as a product. And thus, if theproduct depth changes over time, then inventory change is noted andother systems (e.g., the inventory/ordering system 1316, the deliverysystem 1320, the merchandizing system 1324, the reporting/analyticssystem 1326, etc.) may be notified to account for the inventory change,request the shelf be replenished, determine consumer habits inpurchasing, etc. In another embodiment, the data system 1302 determinesthat an item is there for a short time because a shopper walked in theview of the image capture device 1012. In such case, the data related tothe shopper may be used for face recognition, merchandizing, planograms,or may be ignored. In yet another embodiment, the drone monitoringsystem 1300 may be utilized to determine employee efficiency,effectiveness in maintaining proper product shelving, etc.

The drone monitoring system 1300 is capable of determining spacingbetween products and may use triangulation/depth to determine if itemsare placed or missing within a distance threshold (item further fromthreshold may mean empty spot on a shelf whereas item closer fromdistance threshold may mean object in isle, etc.). A distance thresholdmay be a set distance, a range, and/or learned over time by the dronemonitoring system 1300. Its analysis may be used to determine one ormore of the following: recognize products, product description, productlocation, product location accuracy (planogram), product amount(number), product amount above or below a threshold, need for pricechange, price accuracy, security issues, facial recognition, buyers'habits, etc.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of adrone monitoring method 1400. The method starts at step 1402 andproceeds to step 1404. At step 1404, the method 1400 calibrates and/ortrains the monitoring drone (e.g., the monitoring drone 114, 1000) to beready to perform one or more of its functions, such as, the monitoringdrone may calibrate its image capture device (e.g., the image capturedevice 114 a, 1012), determines the products it is monitoring, learns orreceives data relating to the product type, its representation, itslocation on a shelf, its location in a store, metadata related to theproduct or store, time/date setting, movement calibration, communicationhandshaking, etc.

Next, at step 1406, the method 1400 captures images as it moves aroundand then processes the image at step 1408. In one embodiment, theprocessing of the image may be archiving the image to memory and/orpreparing the image to be transmitted. In another embodiment, at step1406, the method 1400 may determine the validity, quality and/orcategorize an image. In yet another embodiment, the image may beanalyzed to provide monitoring data based on image content analysis. Atstep 1410, the method 1400 transmits images and/or data and the methodends at step 1412.

Even though all these items are shown to be in the same drone monitoringsystem 1300, yet, they may be distributed in multiple systems that mayor may not be in the same location. In one embodiment, images and/ordata is communicated to a cloud system.

In some embodiments, a rail track assembly comprises: a rail defining alongitudinal channel configured to slidably receive at least a portionof a monitoring drone; an end cap configured to be coupled to a firstlongitudinal end of the rail; and a charge cap configured to be coupledto second longitudinal end of the rail opposite the first longitudinalend, the charge cap configured to house a power module for charging themonitoring drone when the monitoring drone is located at the secondlongitudinal end.

In some embodiments, the charge cap comprises: a charge cap main bodyconfigured to abut an end face of the second longitudinal end of therail when the charge cap is coupled to the rail; and a power modulehousing extending from the charge cap main body into the longitudinalchannel, the power module housing configured to house the power module.In some embodiments, the charge cap further comprises at least onecharging portion that includes at least one charging pin protrudingtherefrom into the longitudinal channel of the second rail, the at leastone charging pin configured to contact a charging port of the monitoringdrone so as to charge the monitoring drone. In some embodiments, aplurality of slots are defined at a first longitudinal end and thesecond longitudinal end of the rail; and the charge cap comprises aplurality of charge cap tabs extending from the charge cap main bodytowards the rail, each of the plurality of charge cap tabs configured tobe inserted into a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots forcoupling the charge cap to the second longitudinal end of the rail.

In some embodiments, the end cap defines a plurality of end cap tabsextending from the end cap towards the rail, each of the plurality ofend cap tabs configured to be inserted into a corresponding slot of theplurality of slots for coupling the end cap to the first longitudinalend of the rail. In some embodiments, the rail defines at least onetrack extending along a longitudinal length of the rail and configuredto slidably mount the monitoring drone. In some embodiments, the railtrack assembly further comprises a rail holder defining a receptacleconfigured to hold the rail, the rail holder configured to be coupled toa structure so as to secure the rail to the structure. In someembodiments, the receptacle defines a perimetral shape that correspondsto an outer perimetral shape of the rail. In some embodiments, each ofthe perimetral shape of the receptacle and the outer perimetral shape ofthe rail comprise a C-shape, the C-shape facilitating rotation of therail within the receptacle so as to allow positioning of the rail withinthe receptacle in a desired orientation.

In some embodiments, a rail track system, comprises: a first rail and asecond rail, each of the first rail and the second rail defining alongitudinal channel configured to slidably receive at least a portionof a monitoring drone; an end cap configured to be coupled to a firstlongitudinal end of the first rail; a rail coupler configured to couplea second longitudinal end of the first rail opposite the firstlongitudinal end to a first longitudinal end of the second rail, therebycoupling the first rail to the second rail; and a charge cap configuredto be coupled to a second longitudinal end of the second rail oppositethe first longitudinal end of the second rail, the charge cap configuredto house a power module for charging the monitoring drone when themonitoring drone is located at the second longitudinal end of the secondrail.

In some embodiments, the charge cap comprises: a charge cap main bodyconfigured to abut an end face of the second longitudinal end of thesecond rail when the charge cap is coupled to the second rail; and apower module housing extending from the charge cap main body into thelongitudinal channel of the second rail, the power module housingconfigured to house a power module. In some embodiments, the charge capfurther comprises at least one charging portion that includes at leastone charging pin protruding therefrom into the longitudinal channel ofthe second rail, the at least one charging pin configured to contact acharging port of the monitoring drone so as to charge the monitoringdrone.

In some embodiments, a plurality of slots are defined at the respectivefirst longitudinal end the second longitudinal end of each of the firstrail and the second rail; and the charge cap comprises a plurality ofcharge cap tabs extending from the charge cap main body towards thesecond rail, each of the plurality of charge cap tabs configured to beinserted into a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots of thesecond rail for coupling the charge cap to the second longitudinal endof the second rail. In some embodiments, the end cap defines a pluralityof end cap tabs extending from the end cap towards the rail, each of theplurality of end cap tabs configured to be inserted into a correspondingslot of the plurality of slots defined on the first longitudinal end ofthe first rail for coupling the end cap to the first longitudinal end ofthe first rail.

In some embodiments, each of the first rail and the second rail definesat least one track extending along their respective longitudinallengths, the track configured to slidably mount the monitoring drone. Insome embodiments, the rail track system further comprises: a pluralityof rail holders, each of the plurality of rail holders defining areceptacle configured to hold the first rail or the second rail, theplurality of rail holders configured to be coupled to a structure so asto secure the first rail or the second rail to the structure. In someembodiments, the receptacle defines a perimetral shape that correspondsto an outer perimetral shape of the first rail and the second rail. Insome embodiments, each of the perimetral shape of the receptacle and theouter perimetral shape of the first rail and the second rail comprise aC-shape, the C-shape facilitating rotation of the first rail and thesecond rail within the corresponding receptacle so as to allowpositioning of the first rail and the second rail within thecorresponding receptacle in a desired orientation. In some embodiments,the rail coupler comprises a sleeve that encompasses at least a portionof the first rail and the second rail.

In some embodiments, a method for mounting a monitoring drone on astructure, comprises: coupling one or more rail holders to thestructure, each of the one or more rail holders defining a receptacle;positioning a rail in the receptacle of a corresponding rail holder ofthe one or more rail holders so as to couple a desired number of railsto the structure, each of the rails defining a longitudinal channelconfigured to slidably receive at least a portion of the monitoringdrone; mounting a monitoring drone on a rail of the desired number ofrails; coupling an end cap to a first longitudinal end of a first railof the desired number of rails; and coupling a charge cap to a secondlongitudinal end of a last rail of the desired number of rails, thecharge cap configured to house a power module for charging themonitoring drone when the monitoring drone is located at the secondlongitudinal end of the last rail that is opposite the firstlongitudinal end of the first rail.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: prior to mounting themonitoring drone on the rail, determining if rotation is needed to alignone or more of the rails with an adjacent rail; in response todetermining that rotation is needed, rotating the one or more rails; andcoupling the one or more rail with the adjacent rail via a rail coupler.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure isnot limited to the particular embodiments herein, but it is intended tocover modifications within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “example” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of twomembers directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may bestationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable orreleasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thevarious exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein.Additionally, it should be understood that features from one embodimentdisclosed herein may be combined with features of other embodimentsdisclosed herein as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand.Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also bemade in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the variousexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anyinventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures specific to particular implementations of particularinventions. Certain features described in this specification in thecontext of separate implementations can also be implemented incombination in a single implementation. Conversely, various featuresdescribed in the context of a single implementation can also beimplemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rail track assembly, comprising: a raildefining a longitudinal channel configured to receive at least a portionof a monitoring drone for movement therein; an end cap coupled to afirst longitudinal end of the rail; and a charge cap coupled to secondlongitudinal end of the rail opposite the first longitudinal end, thecharge cap including a power module for charging the monitoring dronewhen the monitoring drone is located at the second longitudinal end. 2.The rail track assembly of claim 1, wherein the charge cap comprises: acharge cap main body configured to abut an end face of the secondlongitudinal end of the rail when the charge cap is coupled to the rail;and a power module housing extending from the charge cap main body intothe longitudinal channel, the power module housing configured to housethe power module.
 3. The rail track assembly of claim 2, wherein thecharge cap further comprises at least one charging portion that includesat least one charging pin protruding therefrom into the longitudinalchannel of the second rail, the at least one charging pin configured tocontact a charging port of the monitoring drone so as to charge themonitoring drone.
 4. The rail track assembly of claim 2, wherein: aplurality of slots are defined at a first longitudinal end and thesecond longitudinal end of the rail; and the charge cap comprises aplurality of charge cap tabs extending from the charge cap main bodytowards the rail, each of the plurality of charge cap tabs configured tobe inserted into a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots forcoupling the charge cap to the second longitudinal end of the rail. 5.The rail track assembly of claim 4, wherein the end cap defines aplurality of end cap tabs extending from the end cap towards the rail,each of the plurality of end cap tabs configured to be inserted into acorresponding slot of the plurality of slots for coupling the end cap tothe first longitudinal end of the rail.
 6. The rail track assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the rail defines at least one track extending along alongitudinal length of the rail and configured to slidably mount themonitoring drone.
 7. The rail track assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a rail holder defining a receptacle configured to hold therail, the rail holder configured to be coupled to a structure so as tosecure the rail to the structure.
 8. The rail track assembly of claim 7,wherein the receptacle defines a perimetral shape that corresponds to anouter perimetral shape of the rail.
 9. The rail track assembly of claim8, wherein each of the perimetral shape of the receptacle and the outerperimetral shape of the rail comprise a C-shape, the C-shapefacilitating rotation of the rail within the receptacle so as to allowpositioning of the rail within the receptacle in a desired orientation.10. A rail track system, comprising: a first rail and a second rail,each of the first rail and the second rail defining a longitudinalchannel configured to slidably receive at least a portion of amonitoring drone; an end cap configured to be coupled to a firstlongitudinal end of the first rail; a rail coupler configured to couplea second longitudinal end of the first rail opposite the firstlongitudinal end to a first longitudinal end of the second rail, therebycoupling the first rail to the second rail; and a charge cap configuredto be coupled to a second longitudinal end of the second rail oppositethe first longitudinal end of the second rail, the charge cap configuredto house a power module for charging the monitoring drone when themonitoring drone is located at the second longitudinal end of the secondrail.
 11. The rail track system of claim 10, wherein the charge capcomprises: a charge cap main body configured to abut an end face of thesecond longitudinal end of the second rail when the charge cap iscoupled to the second rail; and a power module housing extending fromthe charge cap main body into the longitudinal channel of the secondrail, the power module housing configured to house a power module. 12.The rail track system of claim 11, wherein the charge cap furthercomprises at least one charging portion that includes at least onecharging pin protruding therefrom into the longitudinal channel of thesecond rail, the at least one charging pin configured to contact acharging port of the monitoring drone so as to charge the monitoringdrone.
 13. The rail track system of claim 10, wherein: a plurality ofslots are defined at the respective first longitudinal end the secondlongitudinal end of each of the first rail and the second rail; and theend cap defines a plurality of end cap tabs extending from the end captowards the rail, each of the plurality of end cap tabs configured to beinserted into a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots defined onthe first longitudinal end of the first rail for coupling the end cap tothe first longitudinal end of the first rail.
 14. The rail track systemof claim 10, wherein the each of the first rail and the second raildefines at least one track extending along their respective longitudinallengths, the track configured to slidably mount the monitoring drone.15. The rail track system of claim 10, further comprising: a pluralityof rail holders, each of the plurality of rail holders defining areceptacle configured to hold the first rail or the second rail, theplurality of rail holders configured to be coupled to a structure so asto secure the first rail or the second rail to the structure.
 16. Therail track system of claim 15, wherein the receptacle defines aperimetral shape that corresponds to an outer perimetral shape of thefirst rail and the second rail.
 17. The rail track system of claim 16,wherein each of the perimetral shape of the receptacle and the outerperimetral shape of the first rail and the second rail comprise aC-shape, the C-shape facilitating rotation of the first rail and thesecond rail within the corresponding receptacle so as to allowpositioning of the first rail and the second rail within thecorresponding receptacle in a desired orientation.
 18. The rail tracksystem of claim 10, wherein the rail coupler comprises a sleeve thatencompasses at least a portion of the first rail and the second rail.19. A method for mounting a monitoring drone on a structure, comprising:coupling one or more rail holders to the structure, each of the one ormore rail holders defining a receptacle; positioning a rail in thereceptacle of a corresponding rail holder of the one or more railholders so as to couple a desired number of rails to the structure, eachof the rails defining a longitudinal channel configured to slidablyreceive at least a portion of the monitoring drone; mounting amonitoring drone on a track of the desired number of rails; coupling anend cap to a first longitudinal end of a first rail of the desirednumber of rails; and coupling a charge cap to a second longitudinal endof a last rail of the desired number of rails, the charge cap configuredto house a power module for charging the monitoring drone when themonitoring drone is located at the second longitudinal end of the lastrail that is opposite the first longitudinal end of the first rail. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising: prior to mounting themonitoring drone on the rail, determining if rotation is needed to alignone or more of the rails with an adjacent rail; in response todetermining that rotation is needed, rotating the one or more rails; andcoupling the one or more rail with the adjacent rail via a rail coupler.